Philosophical Writings

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

Page 65

Philosophical Writings
and thereby attaining longevity has remained the cherished longing in a living being. To achieve it, one must strive to remain hale and healthy. In order to understand the goal or purpose of Ayurveda, we should note that according to Ayurveda there are three longings in every human being: longing for a long, happy and wealthy life. Since longing for a long life comes first, it has very distinctly emphasised the concept of a long and beneficial life. Ayurveda, by giving a simile of a chariot or a wooden cart and comparing it to life explains that if we take good care of the body and use it properly, then we would survive for few years more and the life would be happy and purposeful.“ The sole aim of Ayurveda is to advise diet, medicine and a course of behaviour, such that, if they are properly followed, a normally healthy person may maintain a balance of his supporting bases (dhatus) and a man who has lost the equilibrium of his supporting bases (dhatu) may regain it. The aim of Ayurveda, thus, is to advise men how to secure control over the basic supporters of life (Dhatu-Samya)'.! 4. Central Theme
Even the most ordinary or an average student of Ayurveda, on hearing Ayurveda immediately remembers the three vitiators (Doshas). In fact these three vitiators are the key to understand Indian medical science. According to Ayurveda, Vayu(air), pitta (Bile) and Kapha (phlegm or lymph), these three maintain the body in perfect health so long as they are balanced. When these three are in equilibrium life is healthy, and they do not pollute or weaken the body or produce disease. When they are unbalanced, they become vitiated and they also vitiate the body. In reality, the very existence of life and of the body is based on them. So they are called basic supporters of life (Dhatus). When the balance of these three is vitiated, it happens that out of the three one dominates the other two. The sole purpose and the central theme as well as the treatment in Ayurveda is to restore the balance of these three life forces (Prans), i.e., Air (vayu), bile (Pitta) and Phlegm (Kapha). Restoring balance means normal, hale and healthy body and mind.